Incasing lock



June 3, 1930.l A lc. H. DUFFY 1,760,977

INGAS ING LOCK Filed Feb. 18, 1928 10 /A/ n/E/v TOR /47 ro/P/VE s/ Patented June 3, 1930 f Q INcAsING Loox Y Application ined February 1s, 1952s. serial No. 255,355.

This invention relates to a device for guarding a nut against the application of a wrenchl or other implement to prevent the surreptitious removal of the nut'from'its bolt 'or stud. v

In many mechanical devices.V in which an articlel or member isattached or secured in' place by one or more nuts and bolts, it is desirable to'prevent the unauthorized removal of such article or member either as an assurance against theft or as a guard' against tampering. In such instances, itv is equally desirable that the article or member be ca` pable of instant removal by the owner or authorized operator, so that' the article or member maybe immediately available for use, replacement orother purpose.

It is commercially desirable in such a de-Y vicev that the same be simple, light in weight and inexpensive. And it is essential to its utility that the 'devicebe capable of ready application to the article or member, and without the use of special tools.' It is further desirable that such a device be capable of general application.`

This invention has for its object toy answer all of the foregoing requirements, and to that end the invention consists of the novelconstruction of the nutrguard or shield, and also in certaincombinations of parts, all of which will be first fully described and afterwards.

specifically pointed out in Ythe appended claims.

Referring to the accompanying-drawing: Fig. l is an elevation of the guard, the guarded nut being shown in dotted lines'.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the saine, with the 'pad-lock removed.

Fig. S is a vertical transverse sectional view through the guard, and'illustratingthe same in position for applying or removing the guard to a nut. 'p

Fig. 4 is a similar view illustratingthe guard partially applied ,to al nut. I

Fig. 5v isasimilar view taken on line 5 5 of Fig. l illustrating the guard inoperative locked position over a nut. Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 6,-6 of Fig. 5. Y Fig. Z -is a bottom plan view of the pairzof more fully described.V

swivelling members and illustrating the nutin dotted lines. f f f Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the same, and Fig. V9 is a vertical sectional view of the guard showing the sameapplied to a nut kof .575

conventional design. f i

' Like numerals of reference indicate the 'Nmpsmrs PATENT-eww@ same parts throughout the several figures, in

which:

l indicates'the guard assembly,- 2 indicates' a pad-lock `of any suitable key or'permutation type, and 3 indicates the boltassernbly. In the drawing, with the exception of Fig. 9, the bolt assembly 3 may include the nut 4 s and bolt or stud 5, while in Fig. 9, thebolt assembly 3 may include the nut 4', boltl or stud 5 and washer 6, as will be hereinafter As in the first eight figures of the drawing, the nut 4 is provided vwith an annular neck 7, which is preferably formed therein during y the initial-process of manufacture of the nut.

Nuts of the better grade arevproduced from hex-bar vstock on a screw machine; are drilled, tapped, chamfered and cut 0E ina single operation, and may be provided with the annular neck 7 at the same time and without additional time or cost, as thek said neck 7 may be formed inthe nut in the sameposi tion7 as when drilling,so that'bo-th lthese forming and drilling-operations. are simultaneous. Thev depth of the neck 7 need only be such that the diameter at the base of the K l neck is vslightly lessthan the distance across the flats of the nut, as will be seen from Fig. 6. l/Vhen, therefore, a nut of this type is eme ployed, the usual nut is simply replaced with the necked nut 4, and in this emb'odimentof the invention, the necked/nut 4 is furnished y with the device.l .-'In the embodiment of the L invention shown ,in Fig. 9,'however, the usual f nut von the bolt or stud 4, may be employed;

in which instance, anecked washer 6is applied under the usual nut 4. The washerv 6 is formed with two diameters, the smaller lone formingan annular neck', when thenut 4 is set down thereon, the diameter at the base of the neckbeing slightly less than the distance across the flats of the nut. In lthis embodiment, the necked washer 6 is furnished with the device.

In the employment of the invention it may be kfound that in such applications of the guard as will require frequent Vremoval of the nut, the necked nut may be preferable, while in such applications of the guard as will be of a more permanent nature, the use of the necked washer may be preferable. However, in'either instance, the function and operation of the guard is the same, as will be presently apparent.

Referring now to the guard assembly 1, it Vwill be seen that the same preferably includes a diameter only slightly greater than theV diameter of the base of the neck 7 in the nut 4, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 so that said members 8 and 9 may freely swivel in said neck 7 without imparting any rotaryv movement to the said nut 4.

Said members 8 and 9 also include the vertical walls 14 which are spaced apart suiiiciently so that they may freely rotateV around the nut 4 without touching the flats or corners of the same. In other words, the distance between said vertical walls V14 is slightly greater than the distance across the corners of the nut 4.

The said members 8 and 9 are then bent inwardly toward each other at 15 and preferably meet each other centrally above the nut, where they are again bent upwardly in vertical parallelism to form the upstanding portions 16. At a suitable point in the upstanding portions 16, the same are provided with transverse complemental holes 1'?, as shown.

18 indicates the guard housing. This element may be a simple blanking and drawing job of suitable sheet metal in the form of a cap having a top 19 and an annular vertical wall 20, the top 19 having a narrow central slot 21 therein through which the upstanding portions 16 of the swivelling members 8 and 9 freely pass. Therdepth of the guard housing is such that when the same is in operative position as shown in Figs. 1, 5, and 9, the inner portions of the swivelling members and the entire nut is completely enclosed and enveloped. l c

As will appear from Fig. 6, the internal diameter of the guard housing 18 is such that when it envelopes the enclosed portions of the swivelling members 8 and 9, it just passes over the edges of the vertical walls 14 of said swivelling members 8 and 9, to hold the same against any spreading movement and thereby securely and permanently holoing said swivelling members within the neck 7 of the nut 4, so long as said guard housing is in. such enveloping position. As soon, h owever, as the guard housing 18 is raised into position shown in Fig. 3, said housing passes beyond the said vertical walls 14 of the swivelling members 8 and 9, and allows the bottom portions 10 of said members 8 and 9 to separate and withdraw from the neck 7 of the nut 4, and permits the removal of the entire guard assembly 1 from the nut, as shown in said ligure.V

In order to embodyTv this assembly 1 in a unitary device and facilitate the handling of the same, I prevent the removal of the swivelling members 8 and 9 from the guard housing 18 by any suitable means, such as by bending over the ends of the upstanding portions at 22, as shown in the drawing. This permits the application and removal of the guard assembly as a unit. Y

The foregoing description is applicable to the embodiment shown in Fig. 9, except that the bottoms 10 of the two swivelling members 8 and 9 enter and are retained in the necked washer 6 immediately under the nut 4, in which event as before Vstated the usual nut on the bolt or stud is not replaced by a necked nut, but is used in connection with the necked washer 6, as shown in said figure.

Having thus described the invention, the

fsame is employed as follows:

When the guard assembly is to be employed with a necked nut, the usual nut on the bolt or stud is removed and the necked nut is set downtight with a wrench on the bolt or stud. The guard assembly 1 is then applied over the nut 4, as shown in Figs. 3, 4', and 5, and the shackle of a pad-lock 2 is passed through the complemental holes 1? inV the uilistanding portions 16 of the swivelling members 8 and 9, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5. This locks the guard casing 18 in its effective operative position and locks the swivelling members 8 and 9 within the neck 7 of the nut 4. No wrench or other implement can be then applied to the nut 4 to turn or loosen the same. Nor is any access to the nut possible until the pad-lock has irst been removed, though the entire guard assembly will freely swivelaround the nut without imparting any rotating influence thereto, so that a tool or implement applied to the guard assembly to rotate the samehas no effect upon the nut whatsoever.

When the guard assembly is to be employed with a necked washer, as in Fig. 9, the nut 4 is removed from the bolt or stud, the necked washer 6 is applied on the bolt or stud and the nut 4 is set down tight with a wrench on said washer. The guard assembly 1 is in the Washer 6 under the nut 4f, and the padlock applied as just described.'

The invention does not contemplate' a device in which the locking means is Within the guard housing, or is Aself vcontained iwithin the device. Such a construction is not compatible with the inventive purpose of the device, vvhich is primarily designed to be employed in connection With any ordinary forni or type of pad-lock which the usermay desire to apply thereto. Any self contained lock would obviously limit the device to the particular locking mechanism suppliedas an integral part of thedevice by the manufacturer thereof, and Would not permit the user his choice of locks7 While the derangement or breaking of such self contained locking mechanism vvoulddestroy the usefulness of the eiitire device. f i

The result of this system ofl guarding a nut against the application of a Wrench or implement to rotate or loosen the sameis that an article or element Which is secured in pla-ce titiously removed or tampered With Without rst removing the pad-lock 2, While the guard assembly employed is of such simple construction that the cost of the ysaine is but a vuse of chains and other complicated and expensive'locking paraphernalia novvl generally employed. i

Having thus fully described the invention, I do not kWish to be understood as limiting myself to the constructionl shoivn and described as the same is susceptibleto chances, alterations and modifications in the construction and'arrangeinent of the parts, and I consider myself clearly entitled to all such changes and modifications as fall Within the limit and 'scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letterslatentof the lUnited `States is:

l'. device of the character described including a necked nuty a guard'asseinbly including a pair of svvivelling members having their bottoins'pi'ovided vvith a circular opening and adapted toen-ter Within vand enconipass the base of the neck in the said iiut,'said sivive'iliiig members including upstanding portions provided With complemental trans-4 verse holes, said guard assembly including a cup shaped guard housing having a top and a vertical side Wal-'1the saidvtopbeing provided with an opening through Which the cal `side .'Wallof the guard housing being adapted. to envelope the said nut and to 'enguard housing. by al bolt and nut cannot be stolen, surrep- D gage the said sivivelling members to retaink the saine Within the said neck in the saidnut,l

the said lioles'in said upstanding portions kbeing adapted to receive a pad-locken the `outside ofthe said guard housing.A l

2. A device of the charactervdescribedinciuding a necked nut, a guard assembly vincludin g a pair of svvivelling members having their bottoms Vproviding a circular opening vand adapted to enter vvvithin and encompass the base of the neck in the said nut, said portions providedWith complemental trans-l verse holes, said guard assembly including a cup shaped` guard housing having a top and a vertical side Wall, the said top being provided With an opening through Which the said upstaiiding portions pass, the said verti- Acal side Wall of the guard housingv being adapted to envelope the said nut and to engage the said svvivelling members'to retain the same Within the said neck inthe said nut, and

locking means adapted to pass through the sivivelling member above the top of the said 8. A. device of the character described including a necked. nut, a guard .assembly including a pair of svvivelling members having their bottom portions adapted to enter Within and encompass the vbase. of the neck in the p said nut,-saidswivelling members including upstanding portions provided Wit-h complemental transverse holesfsaid guard assembly including a cup shaped guard housing having a top and vertical side Wall, the saidtop being provided With an. opening through which the said upstanding portionspass, the said verticalA side Wall vof the guard housing being ladapted to envelope the said nut and to engage the said svvivelling members to retain the same Within the said neck in the said nut, and locking'means adapted to pass through said complemental holesV in the swivelling members above the top 'of the said guard housing.

4f. A device of the character described in-l cluding a necked nut7 a guard assembly including a pair of sivivelling meinbersfhaving their bottom portions adapted to enter Within including a cup shaped guard housing having a top and vertical side wall, the said top being provided With an opening through Which the said upstandingportionspass, the said vertical side Wall of the guard housing being adapted to envelope the said nut and to engage the said svvivelling members to retain .the saine Within the said neck in the said nut. said upstanding portions pass, the said verti- 5. 'A device ofthe character described including a necked nut, aA guard assembly intheir bottom portions adapted to enter within the said neck in the said nut, said svvivelling members including upstanding portions, said guard assembly including aV guard housing having a top and a vertical side Wall and an opening in said top through which the said upstanding portions pass, the said side Wall of the guard housing being adapted to envelope the said nut and retain the s'vvivelling members Within the said neck in the said nut, and means :tor locking the said guard housing against movement on the said swivelling members.

6. A device of the character described including a necked nut, a guard assembly including a pair of swivelling members having their bottom portions adapted to enter Within the said neck in the said nut, said swivelling members including upstanding portions, said guard assembly including a guard housing having a top and a vert-ical side Wali and an opening in said top through which the said upstanding portions pass, the said side Wall of the guard housing being` adapted to envelope the said nut and retain the swivelling members Within the said neck in the said nut.

7. A device of the character described including a necked nut, a guard assembly including a pair of swivelling members having portions adapted to enter the said neck in the said nut, said guard assembly including a guard housing having a top and a vertical side Wall adapted to envelope the said nut, the said svvivelling members being provided with means on the outside of the guard housing Ito receive locking means for retaining the guard assembly in operative position.

8. AV device of the character described including a necked nut, a guard assembly7 including a pair of svvivelling members having portions adapted to enter the sai-d neck in the said nut, saidA guard assembly including a guard housing adapted to encompass the said nut and retain the said swivelling members Within the said neck in the said nut, the guard Y assembly being provided with means on the ing means for retaining the guard outside of the guard housing to receive locking means for retaining the same in operative position.

9. A device of the character de-scribed including a necked nut, a guard assembly including a pair of svvivelling members having portions adapted to enter the said neck in the said nut, said guard assembly including a guard housing adapted to encompass the said nut, the device including means on the outside of the guard housing to receive a lockassembly in operative position.

10. In a device of the character described, a guard assembly including a pair of swivelling members and a guard housing, the said svvivelling members having portions adapted Vfor interlocking engagement with a neck on a` bolt assembly, and having upstanding portions, the guard housing being provided with an opening through Which said upst-anding portions extend, and having a side Wall adapted to encompass the nut of the bolt assembly and retain the said swivelling members Within the said neck therein, the said upstanding members being provided With means on the outside of the guard housing to receive a locking means for retaining the guard assembly in operative position.

1l. In a device of the character described, a guard assembly including a pair of swivelling members and a guard housing, the said sWivelling members having portions for in- -v terlocking engagement With a neck on a bolt assembly, the guard housing having a side Wall for enveloping the nut of the bolt assembly and to retain the said swivelling members Within the said neck therein, the device being provided With means on the outside of the guard housing to receive a locking means for retaining the guard assembly in operative position.

l2. In a device of the character described, a guard assembly including a pair of swivelling member and a guard housing, the said sivivelling members having portions for interlocking engagement with a neck on a bolt assembly, the guard housing having a side Wall enveloping the nut of the bolt assembly, the device being provided with means on the outside 'of the guard housing to receive a locking means for retaining the guard assembly in operative position.

13. In a device of the character described, a guard assembly including a svvivelling member and a guard housing, the said svvivelling member having means for interlocking engagement vvith a bolt assembly, the guard housing having an opening through which the svvivelling member extends and having a side Wall for enveloping the nut of the bolt assembly, the said svvivelling member having means on the outside of the guard housing to receive a locking means for retaining the guard housing in operative position.

14. In a device of the character described, a guard assembly including a swivelling member and a guard housing, said svvivelling member having means for interlocking engagement with a bolt assembly, the guard housing having a side Wall for enveloping the nut of the bolt assembly, the device being providedV with means on the outside of the guard housing` to receive a locking means for retaining the guard housing in operative position.

15. In a device of the character described, a guard assembly including a swivelling member having means for interlocking engagement with a nut on a bolt assembly, the guard assembly including a guard housin having an opening through which the svvive ling member extends and having a side Wall for enveloping the nutof the bolt assembly, the swivelling member being provided With means on the outside of the guard housing to receive a locking means for retaining 'the guard housing to operative position.

16. In a device of the character described,

a guard assembly including a svvivelling member and a guard housing, the swivelling member having means Vfor interlocking" engagement With a nut of a bolt assembly, the guard housing having a side Wall for enveloping the nut of the bolt assembly, the de- Vice being provided With means on the outside of the guard housing for retainingthe guard housing in operative position.

17. A device of the character described in cluding means for effecting a svvivelling connection with the nut of a boltassembly, and means for guarding the nut of thebolt assembly against the application of a Wrench thereto to rotate the nut, the device being provided with means on the outside of the nut guarding means to receive a locking means to retain the nut guarding means in operative position.

18. A device of the character described including means for effecting a sWivelling connection With a bolt assembly, and means for guarding the nut of the bolt assembly against the application of a Wrench thereto to rotate the nut, and means on the outside of the nut guarding means for locking the device in operative position.

19. A device of the character described including means for guarding the nut of a bolt assembly against the application of a Wrench thereto to rotate the nut, and means for effecting a svvivelling connection With the bolt assembly and adapted to carry a lock for retaining the nut guarding means inv operative position. Y

20. A device of the character described in cluding means for guarding the ynut of a bolt assembly against the application of a Wrench thereto to rotate the nut, and` means for eiecting a svvivelling connection with the bolt assembly, the last mentioned means being provided with means on the outside of the nut guarding means to receive a lock for retaining the nut guarding means in operative position.V

In testimony Whereoil I afiX my signature.

CHARLES HUGH DUFFY. 

